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Metal By Numbers 5/2: A Return To Average Album Sales

Metal By Numbers is a weekly column in which we look at the top metal sellers and debuts of the week.

Out of the ten metal and hard rock new releases this week, only two make it into the top 200. And this week’s top debut comes from Christian metalcore group War Of Ages. While their fifth album Return To Life marks their highest ranking album to date, it does sell slightly less than its predecessor, 2010’s Eternal (which came in at #158 with roughly 3,000 copies sold in its first week). Ok, so Return To Life’s first week’s sales might not be mind-blowing. But as we’ve said numerous times, it’s become hard for a lot of bands to sell as many copies as their previous album did (even if it was just two years ago). And the fact that their new album sold only a little less than their Eternal did shows that this Christian metalcore group’s fanbase remains stable and has potential to grow even more.

Notable Debuts:

War Of Ages, Return to Life (Facedown) #130, 2,860 sold
Who knows, maybe their performance at this Summer’s SoulFest will attract a new audience for them?

Torche, Harmonicraft (Volcom) #141, 2,630 sold
The sludge rock group’s first album via Volcom has a strong first week, debuting in the top 200. While Torche should be pleased, guitarist Andrew Elstner is probably just happy that he doesn’t have rabies.

Prong, Carved Into Stone (Long Branch) 1,650 sold
A strong first week for Tommy Victor and co., who sell roughly two hundred copies more than their last album, 2007’s Power Of The Damager (which sold roughly 1,400 in its first week).

Anathema, Weather Systems (The End) 1,290 sold
After a seven year wait between 2003′s A Natural Disaster and 2010′s We’re Here Because We’re Here, it’s safe to say that fans are grateful that the English post-prog rock group didn’t make them wait as long for a new album.

Paradise Lost, Tragic Idol (Century Media) 900 sold
A solid first week for the British goth metal group. Looks like everyone agrees that drummer Adrian Erlandsson (ex- At the Gates/ The Haunted/ Cradle of Filth) was a great addition to the band.

Cancer Bats, Dead Set on Living (Metal Blade) 660 sold
The Canadian hardcore group’s fourth album does decent in its first week, especially considering that it was released in their home country a week earlier. Maybe their upcoming tour with Demon Hunter and Bleeding Through will help their U.S. sales.

Unleashed, Odalheim (Nuclear Blast) 560 sold
A nice first week for the Swedish death metal group’s eleventh album, and second with Nuclear Blast Records.

Terror, No Regrets No Shame: The Bridge Nine Days (Bridge Nine) 490 sold
The hardcore group may have no regrets or shame after ten years, but their latest collection of early material (which also includes a previously unreleased live DVD) has a modest first week.

Shinedown, Amaryllis (Atlantic) #31, 11,940 sold
Shinedown may have been kicked out of the top 30 in their fifth week on the charts, but their recently confirmed headlining slot on this year’s Uproar Festival should help sales out down the road.

Halestorm, The Strange Case Of…(Atlantic) #57, 6,670 sold
Lzzy Hale and co. are experiencing a typical case of decreasing album sales, dropping down the charts by 19 spots.

Thousand Foot Krutch, The End Is Where We Begin(TFKmusic) #67, 5,930 sold
After debuting in the top 20 last week, the Christian nu metal group drop 53 spots down the charts thanks in part to a 75% decrease in sales. Still pretty impressive considering the album was self-released. Plus, like with Shinedown, their stint on the Uproar Festival could potentially help improve sales.

Demon Hunter, True Defiance (Solid State) #96, 4,080 sold
Another 40% decrease in sales kicks the Christian metalcore group out of the top 100. Don’t feel too bad for Demon Hunter, though. They’ll be kept busy on the road with Bleeding Through and Cancer Bats.

Korn, The Path of Totality (Roadrunner) #159, 2,420 sold
Though Korn may not be performing on the inaugural Mayhem Cruise, singer Jonathan Davis will be DJing aboard the cruise.

Hank Williams III, Long Gone Daddy (Curb) #162, 2,380 sold
A 50% decrease in sales is enough to kick the Assjack/ Arson Anthem/ Superjoint Ritual member’s (also Hank William Jr.’s son) latest country album out of the top 150.

Volbeat, Beyond Hell/Above Heaven (Universal) #184, 2,120 sold
An 18% increase in sales is enough to bring the Danish rockabilly metal group back into the top 200.

Dragonforce, The Power Within (Roadrunner) #193, 2,060 sold
Unfortunately, it looks like Dragonforce’s new album (and first with singer Marc Hudson) is already losing power in its second week on the charts, dropping 125 spots down the charts.

Upon A Burning Body, Red. White. Green. (Sumerian) 1,090 sold
Another 34% decrease in sales for the Sumerian act, who are likely really looking forward to this year’s Mayhem Fest.

God Forbid, Equilibrium (Victory) 600 sold
The NJ metalcore group sell a few copies less than last week. Here’s hoping that the Trespass America Festival will give sales a boost this Summer.

Tomahawk, Eponymous To Anonymous(Ipecac) 590 sold
Tomahawk’s vinyl set (including all three of their albums) continues to receive a little boost from this year’s Record Store Day.

Municipal Waste, The Fatal Feast (Nuclear Blast) 500 sold
Another 50% decrease in sales for the VA thrash group. Speaking of Municipal Waste, have you checked out their new video for “Repossession” yet?

3 Inches Of Blood, Long Live Heavy Metal (Century Media) 460 sold
Speaking of Municipal Waste, we bet they’re excited to hit the road with this Canadian metal group next month.

Jeff Loomis, Plains of Oblivion (Century Media) 430 sold
Another 43% decrease in sales for the former Nevermore guitarist.

If you were at yesterday’s (26) Long Island stop of the Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival and saw Code Orange’s set, you saw their last show on the tour. They said in a tweet that they’d be missing the last four dates of the fest.

Philadelphia grindcore trio Die Choking will release their first full-length album this October. The first taste of it, “Death’s Waveform,” is streaming now on Cvlt Nation. III will be released on Compound Records.

After tonight’s (6) Goatwhore show at Brooklyn, NY venue Saint Vitus bar sold out, the band has added a second show, tomorrow (7) at the same venue. Ringworm, Black Breath and Theories will support. You can pick up tickets here.